We’ve seen a few of these comments sprinkled around some of the prep threads, but I thought I’d place this here.
I went to make coffee today and realized we ran out of coffee filters. OK, not a big deal… but it’s a little thing like that that is easy to forget. Can’t really percolate coffee without filters.
If, in your practice (as Hillbilly wisely suggests) we come across other “tiny items” like this that we’ve forgotten about, a quick note here would be good for others. I wouldn’t want to be without my coffee, especially when I’ve bought so much extra of it just for the SIP!
oil for the car/gen/chainsaw.
I bought another AR15 today for my wife who loves to shoot along with extra .223 ammo. We organized our preps last week and I rotated my gas with fresh stuff. We refilled our vitamins and prescriptions. I moved my portfolio over to silver SLV is the ticker.
Coffee filters also could be used to filter sediment out of water before you purify it.
Light machine oil for the sewing machine, swamp cooler, etc. Replacement belts for car and other machines. Repair kit for drip irrigation system (local Lowe’s has a good display). Extra seeds, fertilizer, blood meal, other soil amendments. More plastic buckets! Ream or two of paper. Stone to sharpen knives. Spare ink cartridge for printer for that last minute orgy of printing from the Internet. More batteries. Sun block/sun screen, lip balm, sunglasses, straw hat. Check socks/shoes/work clothes.
I was sick with strep this week and went to take my temp. Old digital thermometer went out. OK, no problem. In my preps, had a brand new one as a backup. Popped it out of its new packaging. It was a dud. Didn’t work. In the event of a SIP situation, how awful would this have been? Suggest to all to have at least one (or two) old fashioned non-digital thermometer stored in preps as back up.
Happy prepping. Galt
Galt good point. I think the more we do things Like our grandparents did them. We will have less problems.Like the one you had.I have to go and get ready for another harricane season…….Keep up the good ideas.Thanks again Galt I didn’t think of that one…….Be Good and Stay Safe….Later All
If you are a big coffee drinker- try the maxwell house bags- they are individual sized and they remind me of an oversized tea bag…I have used them in the past and they work great- tastes just like a brewed cup of coffee. They are individually wrapped as well. They have regular & decaf. Also Crystal Light makes single size packets that come in a box of 10 I believe. They are a little pricey but you can find them on sale sometimes (BOGO).
In my case it’s keeping up with weekly trips to the dump to get rid of trash & recycling that I have made a priority (although it wasn’t an obvious one at first). I live in a rural area where we have to haul away our own refuse. A trip there will be a last-minute thing to do before implementing SIP.
People with trash service may want to consider finding out where their trash & recycling are hauled to just in case the notice to SIP comes before their last trash & recycling pickup ;)
Christmas cards and gifts that you can mail. I have no idea when the flu will hit and it may be a few weeks after it “hits” before we know it is here. So avoid the crowds. Get things that you can mail so you don’t have to travel to give gifts (unless you want to).
I have gotten a few extra “Krill flashlights”, scented candles, books, and such that I can mail for gifts or keep and use if I need to.
fish mox forte from www.kvvet.com. They also have betadine solutions for cleaning, etc.
Silly - but buy extra underwear and socks. In case you can’t do laundry at least you’ll be somewhat more fresh. Also, if you have younger children with constatnly growing feet, have a pair of sneakers on hand one-size up. Kids can manage in clothes that are too small, but not shoes. You’ll always use them, just replace with a new pair when you use the others.
As we’re going into summer also - bug spray, calmine lotion and poison ivy treatment. Miserable if you get poison ivy!
As soon as the seasonal flu vaccine for the US 2006–2007 season is available, I will get one. In my case I am young enough to take the FluMist nasal vaccine if necessary, but if not I’ll get my shot (just like I have for the past 2 years). It can’t hurt to be protected against ordinary flu :)
Also for those over 65 the pneumonia vaccine (Pneumovax) will be important.
ricewiki: you can get a permanent filter. Easy to store but requires rinsing. I have decided I need more super glue- went to use some this weekend and the top was glued to the bottle. I had no idea it would do that.
BTW I love the ideas for gifts you can mail and extra underwear/socks. I have already secretly ordered a ton of old baseball cards for hubby to sort through as a surprise gift during SIP. Probably not valuable, but he likes to organize things and knows all about the teams and players from his younger days.
Mouse/Rat Traps (in the event there is trouble with garbage pick up for the neighborhood, and the # of pests increases)
My 7 yr old is home from school today with a virus - fever, chills, vomiting, diahreah…. If you think you have enough sheets and towels, buy more, and get enough laundry detergent and clothesline to handle the load once you start washing them all. Why do our little darlings seem to have a knack for never hitting the same spot twice?
amt - good point, ants as well. We already fight ants as we’re in the woods, but have occassional four-legged critters as well.
I’ve stashed some gifts for the kids in case of truly desperate days or it is one of their b-days, holidays. Not much but it’s something.
BTW - paper towels can also be substitured for coffee filters in a pinch.
Of course, since my blood is mainly coffee, that it one of the first preps I bought <hehe>, but really because they said that prices were going up, after Katrina.
I mentioned this on another post, but when i saw it in the store, it was a DUH moment: sewing repair kit, including safety pins and maybe some repair patches. I’m not much of a real sewer (just a few crafts, for the kids), but we will all probably have to repair clothes.
Wish I could get the pneumovox, even with asthma, my daughter and I are too young - at least turning 40 has one upside!
Oh, yeah…
Can you ever have enough duct tape --- repair, hem clothes, fix hoses on cars or dryer, hang things, like sheets, seal up bags,etc.
and do you think if there is enough acid in my blood, from coffee, and red flu killer, that I will be an inhospitable host to the virus?!!!
bailing wire. They call it rebar wire at home depot. It is amazing what you can fix with it. ( the granddaddy o’ duct tape)
Great ideas to trigger the memory. What about sticking a piece of paper and pencil in an obvious place. Now for your own pleasure, you an make you own coffee bags. What you need: Coffee filters, coffee, sewing machine(threaded)and scissors. What to do: Take a filter and put the desired amount of coffee to water ratio in. Fold filter over coffee and sew together. Don”t forget to backstitch or tie off at the beginning and end. Cut off any excess filter. This is also cheaper. If in a pinch, use a paper towel for a filter. I have no doubt we all will forget something. That’s why we have creative minds! gina
I am a tea drinker (not coffee) but I use those metal filters and loose leaves. You don’t need nay paper filters. They sale them for coffee makers.
Extra plastic buckets with lids.
Just think of all the reasons: urine and waste; dirty laundry; vomit; garbage; anything else that stinks or would attract bugs; keeping food protected from virus; keeping your cleaning items away from the open air and thus protected from virus; protecting anything from anything; transporting things; lugging water; etc.
Just be sure to properly label your buckets and only use each bucket for one thing so as not to cross-contaminate.
unbreakable lexan wine glasses for your red wine flu killer. Wine just tastes bad out of a sierra cup. hehe
ricewiki ‘Cant really percolate coffee without filters’
Yes you can! Icelanders call it a ‘coffee sock’, I suspect that’s what the first ones were made of:-)
Much more hygenic than the traditional method:-), here’s how you make one: use a coat hanger(or about that gauge of wire anyway) make a circle just a tiny bit bigger than your coffee pot’s opening. Use pliers to twist the circle closed. About 5 inches away from the circle, bend the wire back towards the circle. Using pliers put the ‘free’ end of the wire into the circle, bring it back up until it’s pointing directly away from the circle. Wrap around the base of the handle a few times and trim the excess wire off. Use a file to file smooth the end of the wire.
Next, take two pieces of clean cotton measuring a couple inches more than the circumference of the circle of your frame and about 2 inches shorter than your coffee pot. Cut from the top two corners to the bottom center(forms a triangle). Sew the pieces together starting at one top corner, down to the bottom tip and up to the other top corner. Stich very closely and tightly (use whip-stitch), use stout cotton thread doubled(upholstery weight holds up well to constant use).
Place the cone inside the circle and draw the top edges of the cone over the circle and down til it meets fabric again. Whip-stitch all the way around the circle(skip the handle part, it won’t matter, it’s very narrow).
Put the completed ‘sock onto your pot, spoon in your coffee grounds, slowly pour in boiling water and -Voila!- some of the best coffee you’ll ever taste!
Hurricane Alley RN at 15:06 --- Whatever happened to that ol’ standby filter that college boys everywhere used to use? Fruit-of-the-Looms.
cork screws. I hate to have to push the cork in.
BB ‘Fruit-of-the-Looms’
My God! Not really?….well at least they’re cotton, I think I’d rather use my sock though:-)
jon c ‘I hate to have to push the cork in’
or do what I did once long ago, chip it away one floaty bit at a time with a screwdriver- somehow I didn’t care about the cork bits…aaah youth:-)
I guess you could always buy the wine with screw caps.
Extra can opener-mine left lid attached at 2 places, so I started using a new one-Bingo, the whole lid came off! What a pleasure!
Some small serrated paring knives from Smoky Mountain Knife Works. Thin sharp-bladed knives make cooking much easier. Good for tomatoes and citrus too. www.SmokyMountainKnifeWorks.com (This company sometimes has items from Cold Steel, always has folding and sheath knives, kitchen stuff, swords-I love their catalog and used to stop at their store every summer on our travels.)
jon c at 15:19
ps, knives are by Victorinox, one of the Swiss Army Knife manufacturers.
hair detangler for my twelve year old with the long babyfine hair-and myself on occasion-never thought about it until two days ago-thought need to get some more and had a “AHHHH” moment. Also more hair elastics and a couple more brushes-she’s always losing hers. Lip balm and hand lotion-both the nice “lavendery” kind and the tougher “Corn huskers” lotion for the guys plus some of the gardening lotion. Vasoline for all sorts of things.
Oremus-15:39 Is that a French army knife? hehe LMAO
Green Mom at 15:54 As far as Health & Beauty Aid preps, my wife and I had to use the “get two” system to make sure we had backups. Every time we needed something we got two instead of just one. The extra was put in a big plastic bucket which was also part of our “bug out” supplies. Now, when the one we are using runs out, we get the one out of the bucket and put that item down on our shopping list. Items that we found ourselves buying frequently were bumped up to two in the bucket.
I normally use an electric razor - I have some blades as backup.- I almost forgot those.
jon c at 15:19 --- You have corks? Buy the box! More RWFK, less money!!!
Oremus at 15:39 --- That’s cool…but don’t need it with my Red Wine Flu Killer in a box!
how long does a box o’ wine keep? Or do you have to drink the whole box once opened? hehe “burp”
BroncoBill, Oh no, don’t remind me. And pleeease not the tidy whities. They were ban and a good thing too! When it got to the point where you couldn’t tell if the brown was coffee stains or something else or if they had been washed(most likely not).No way…Not even cool. Most guys didn’t even use bleach. Drinker Beware! Gina
Ricewiki-and other coffee drinkers- try a French Press coffee maker- you put your ground coffee in, then pour almost Not quite-boiling water wait three minents-plunge the plunger and volia- the best coffee you ever drank and NO FilTERS! My pot was, interestingly enough, made in Denmark-the Scandinavians are very serious about their coffee-trust me on this my FIL is Finnish. I bought mine at a Whole Foods MArket for less than twenty dollars. I also have an ancient camp coffee pot that is similar, but its so old I don’t even remeber where I got it (Yard sale maybe????) and Ive not seen another one around
Hillbilly BIll-the buy one buy two idea is a great one-I’ll have to start doing that from now on.
On a non-flu related matter I went to get my daughters birth certificate and couldn’t find it anywhere. Its either been misfiled or lost somehow. I had to call the state capitol and get another one. I’d like to remind everybody to go through their personal papers NOW and make sure you have every thing you need. I just assumed her certificate was there. I’d hate to be in the middle of some emergency and discover it was lost.
Green Mom 16:57 Good call. It would be a good idea to invest in a fire-proof box or safe. If things were to get really bad offical records could be lost. Deeds ect. I work for a county recorder and I have expressed the need for safer archiving. NO was a good example of lost records.
Just realized the other day that I hadn’t gotten any extra furball paste for the cats! The poor things have a terrible time with furballs in the spring. And I think a couple of my cats have seasonal allergies, so they’re sneezing AND coughing! I’m sneezing away, but at least I don’t have the other problem as well.
I make coffee in a thermos bottle. Put in the grounds and then the boiling water. The grounds all settle to the bottom after about ten minutes. Great coffee for about 5 or 6 hours. and it stays hot.
I have “made” my daughters get passports. Passports are can be used for a lot of things (jobs, travel, birth, citizenship, and so on). I am told that you will need them even going into Canada in a year or so anyway.
We also gave the kids a copy of all our “important papers” to keep and we keep a copy of most of theirs. Including insurance, cemetery lot deeds, will, Certificates of Indian blood, bank account # and so on. (We trust our kids and they us).
clark at 17:30
Have you checked out thermos cooking - rice, tea, and all kinds of things. I use it with my “kelly kettle” works great. OH, yes, and canned soups - heat the water part (2 cans water) and pour it and the canned part into the thermos.
Have a few thermos bottles of different sizes. They are one of humanities great acheivements. Some are made for food and have wide mouths- others for liquid. Yoy boil water in the morning- put it in thermos bottles and you have hot water all day. YOu can use the hot water in the thermos for washing hand, dishes, cloths- it is not just for tea and coffee.
Good ideas, DennisC—that’s a part of prepping that I’ve neglected.
If you take OTC allergy medications, don’t wait to start stocking up. In many places, there are restrictions on how much you can buy at one time, so you’ll need to make several trips if you want to keep extra around.
Liquid plumber, plumbing snake (Sears has tons of them), X-treme tape (self bonding repair tape), eyeglass repair kit, temporary dental filling. I live in fear of a painful dental emergency or a plumbing crisis. You see I have forty-five-year-old teeth and sixty-year-old pipes.
Clark
where can you get big-size thermoses? What’s the range of sizes? Great idea for storing hot water all day for washing etc. thanks!
All I can say is that we are going to be the most prepared people on the planet if this thing ever happens…. we’re really getting impressive here!
Re: Having enough clean underwear when there’s little water and no electricity. I decided to stock up on lots of panty liners. It’s almost the same as having disposable underwear. Might use the petite size for children.
As a retired attorney, I’m imagining all the problems that can accrue if the courts are closed, especially dealing with things like probate, initiating trusts if one is a beneficiary or appointment of guardianship for children in the event of death. To tie this concern back to the thread subject — please make wills where everything is carefully spelled out, if at all possible. Even filling in a preprinted form from an office supply store is better than nothing! Have the people at your bank notorize it. They will know the drill and what is required in your particular state.
Have you seen the Kelly Kettles? Double walled things and the fire goes on the inside. Just a handfull of twigs and you can boil water. A little pricey but the work great. I can even use a can of sterno in the small one. here is their company site but you buy them in camping/hiking stores- it is a Irish thing.
Just something to keep in mind when you need the hot water but the utilities are off. I like to use a handful of wood pellets and a sqirt of hand sanitizer for the fire.
Yes, you can “cook” rice, pasta, barley, ….. in a thermos just add boiling water. most “soupy” things that work with a crock pot.
I think the USPS will be about thelast Federal office to stop working. They do have a reputation to uphold!!!
Along with a supply of stamps for letters, you can get some for Priority Mail and just put the packages by the mailbox. I am not sure they have some for the ‘unlimited weight for $8.05, or whatever the cost is nowadays’ box. Now the trick will be to disinfect incoming mail…
Shoelaces. They’re hard enough to find in the right size even in ordinary times. Has anyone thought about how to handle the diarhea problem with a very weak, but heavy, adult too weak to get up and sit on bucket and can’t lift to slide bedpan under? I remember reading something about hospitals having special beds in 1918 maybe, with a hole strategically located and bucket underneath because almost everything that went in came straight through.
ricewiki at 17:44
the really big ones (4 quart) are from Nissan (most fancy up scale kitchen stores) try a web search on this: “Thermos Nissan Thermal Cookware” Be advised that they are $140 items. But if you have the money, a larger family and no desire to have to start but one fire a day… They are nice items. They are also nice for those that like to “party” or go to pot luck dinners.
The quart and smaller size can be found in WalMart. Get the stainless steel if you have a choice.
Doesn’t Kurt Saxon recommend that you buy stainless steel narrow mouthed thermos bottles (and not necessarily the biggest sizes) for efficient thermos cooking?
I guess I need to go check his website http://www.kurtsaxon.com
Okay here it is - Kurt on Thermos cooking
Don’t forget the small ice chest. It’s great for keep food hot too! Believe me, it doesn’t know if what you are putting in it is hot or cold. Yes it really works. Do dinner at lunch and take a break. gina
Forgot Something. Duh. It really helps to wrap your food in foil before putting it in the chest. gina
Hurricane Alley RN at 16:38 --- Tighty Whities were BANNED!!! OMG!!! NO WAY!!! Whatever shall I do? Seriously, and in accord with GreenMom’s French Press, there’s also the Demitas (pronounced demi-toss) coffee maker. Pretty much the same as a French Press, but it’s Italian. Put your grounds in, pour in the hot water, and press down.
jon c at 16:34 --- A box of wine will keep much longer than a bottle, ‘cuz there’s no cork. Air doesn’t gets into the liner inside the box, so it doesn’t go stale. Now, you’re not gonna find a 10-year-old fine red Cabernet in a box. But, Vella and Franzia make some very tasty reds. And, they’re cheap. Great preps if you can hide them from yourself!!!
After the first box I would be like, “ We all got a buch o’ wine. Let’s have a big o’ party!!” “whoo hoo!!!” I better stick to bottles. Hehe
Don’t forget extra sponges/Brillos/whatever. It seems to me like one lasts forever, but it won’t last nearly so long when you are eating every single meal at home, and therefore washing every single dish.
Don’t forget plenty of pens/pencils and paper! I do a lot of journaling and list making, so this is high on my list.
2Beans 17:52..I have thought about that, I bought some disposable waterproof underpads for the bed. http://tinyurl.com/r6y4w
ricewiki & others - in addition to the french press for making coffee, there is the stovetop-style espresso maker, which doesn’t require disposable filters. a common brand is Bialetti. i love mine.
Came home tonight to find my hot water tank was on the fritz - had to wash dishes in really cold water. So my new tip is GLOVES FOR WASHING DISHES/SCRUBBING, ETC. My hands are freezing cold right now and feel raw. It’s likely that you’ll have water but might not have power to fire up the hot water tank. Also would be good if you have to hand wash a lot of clothes which is really hard on the your hands.
2beans, This is how I plan to handle the situation. First, cover mattress with a plastic mattress cover. Second, use disposable/waterproof sheet protecters. Third, Adult diapers. Misc. A spray bottle full of mild soapy (like oatmeal) water, just toss stack of soft rags, Dry person - well. Doesn’t hurt to let them air dry some, Foile ointment for diaper rash or redness. No affiliation. I don’t know who makes it, but it works great. The box is yellow with black letters. It is actually a First Aid ointment. but does a number on rashes. Can also be used to prevent bed sores. gina
BroncoBill, Tidy whities ban is for coffee filters only. Feel free to wear them. Were you talking to me a RN about coffee. I will have you know, in my field, coffee is a food group. I was also an Asst. Scout Master of a troop of 75 young men. Wood Badge trained if you know anything about BSA. Gina
Most first aid kits are light duty, bandaids literally. What will you do if you cut yourself badly with a knife, axe, or god-forbid a chainsaw? I found a very good Czech military medical kit on eBay, and bulked it up with a couple suture kits also from eBay, and some betadine. Now if I can find some topical anaesthetic, we’re all set.
Dinkers
I’ve been wondering about topical anaesthetic too. Don’t know about your area, but there is OTC stuff you can get to give teething babies — although it may not be very strong. Sorry I don’t know the brand name. EMLA? ELSAM? EMSOL?
Has anyone heard of this?
Dinkers, What about an OTC toothache remedy like Ambusol? Gina
Good thought, Gina. Clove oil comes in little bottles for temporary toothache relief; might have to go to a place that deal in herbal supplements, but it might be in better drug stores, too. Expedition types — like serious mountain climbers, Antarctic scientific expeditions, etc. — also carry tooth repair kits that use a kind of epoxy to patch a broken tooth; I think Campmor might have it. Other than that, get out the pliers; I’ve done it when the pain was more than I could stand, and all it takes is willpower!
topical anaesthetic-the chemical is called Benzocaine and it is the active ingredient in a lot of Oral pain relievers.
general info here: http://tinyurl.com/mltzc
here is a common spray: Dermoplast
Just ask your pharmacist.
Oops, didn’t see ricewiki’s post above. I am looking for lidocaine liquid or creme. I have seen it on eBay occasionally. Tattoo artists use it to numb the area they are inking, and so does the doc at the emergency room when you need stitches, altho the doc probably uses an injection; won’t find that on eBay is my guess.
You might try asking for the lidocaine from the pharmacist behind the counter. It think it is sometimes suggested as a topical to use prior to going in for some of the less invasive cosmetic dermatology now (laser resurfacing, laser hair removal, permanent cosmetics)--use at home so area is deadened when get to doc’s office. I think in some states it is non-prescription at some strengths. There are some topical anesthetics that are a behind-the-counter item for this general purpose if not lidocaine. Worth a call into your pharmacist.
Wow - i was gone today and this is one active thread! All great ideas!
dinkers 21:34:
Is there enough lidocaine in solarcaine spray, to use for stitches, etc. or is this not a good use?
BB:
Box RWFK is the way to go, and there is an Almaden Cab., though not 10 year! But it doesn’t stay in my stock - it keeps disappearing! They do suggest refrigerating, for best quality, though not required (I know, for red???). Here is a link to shelf life, and if you also click on packaging, you’ll find the secret date decoder (no ring required!):
And as far of coffee (told you this was the first prep I took care of!!): I bought a camp percolator - came w/ stainless cups— works great and no filters needed. I use it on my stovetop when I forget to clean my large pot! I think I got it at WM -so long ago (9/11), I don’t remember, but it was a great price and product. Of course, don’t forget the baileys for those cold nights!
Did you know that cayanne pepper dissolved in water will stop bleeding - fast! It should never be used on mucus membranes, such as inside the mouth, however. For a cut on a finger and the like, it is amazing. Castor oil can be used externally to bring down inflammation, even on serious wounds. Castor oil does not promote infections. It will also stop the itching/irritation from cystitis very quickly. Last, I always have Ichthymall around, because it helps as a drawing agent. It, along with castor oil, helped me to heal a serious spider bite [from recluse spider - ugh!]much faster than the norm and with no lingering side effects. We keep all three products in our home first aid kit at all times.
MAinVA 2223
Castor oil internally is good for a cold, too. It doesn’t actually make you feel any better, but it sure makes you careful about sneezing.
I have a SERIOUS adversion to dentists so when I go, it’s BAD, and it HURTS. I have found that listerine is a life saver when it gets bad. It helps to kill the pain, and it cleaned up an absess I had too. I have about 4 of the big 2 litter bottles LOL
Light bulbs and siphon pumps.
ricewiki: Where did you go? I suggest you copy any long posts and paste them back in if you keep fading out like this…
Miox Water Purifier - comes with test kit so you know water’s good.
Blackout Drapes - used today on west windows because of unusual heat even though a/c running- can’t imagine no a/c and no blackouts.
Got today two LED HeadLamps so we can be handsfree when working etc.
Got more lamp oil and wicks for our antique oil lamps.
Got more “MagicHeat/MagicStove” refills for single burner cooking. Also have a double buffet steam unit usually used for buffets that use same size cans. Remember you can’t cook inside with Coleman stoves but with these you can. Get the 6 hour cans not 3 hour cans.
Inexpensive windup/solar/battery radio/flashlight/clock.
Espresso coffee makers - the manual type which you place on a burner. I’ve got a single size and a wopping big one. With my manual froth maker & skim milk (powder) great latte’s. Lots of coffee on hand. French press as well- I’m not going back to percolated coffee thanks.
One land-line phone that doesn’t require electricity just in case phones still work.
Because MRE’s are expensive I’ve picked up enough for just 2 weeks.
Charcoal starter so you won’t worry about running out of lighter fluid. Save your newspaper - it takes just one or two pages for fire. Good pair of outdoor cooking gloves that can take heat & flame.
Stocking up on vegetables that keep well in basement. Testing so far indicates squashes, onions, yams, and garlic keep much longer than potatoes and carrots.
Empty spray bottles - always need them
Got small, medium and large aluminium serving containers with lids so I can heat food up without washing up.
Cast iron cookware but also include the cast iron scraper for cleaning & handle cover to prevent burns.
That’s all for now.
lots and lots of trash bags
good for the usual, and lining the waste buckets, underneath bedding, rain gear, blacking out windows, keeping out weeds in the garden and i even read in a survival book that it is good for a lean-to, stuffed with leaves for a pillow and blanket and used to line a solar distiller. So many uses, I know I have missed many.
ricewiki at 17:45
If they ever do send humans to Mars, we can tell them what they’re forgetting to pack.
In my college days I had an aluminun coffee pot ( drip-o-later) I still have that thing, I said it was my Y2K prep. That baby still works fine no filters back then we did not know we needed filters. I don’t know if they still sell them but you could get one in a flea market. I have made coffee in our fireplace many times, it has 4 pieces a lid, part pour the water in and part for the coffee grinds and the bottom that holds the coffee. Boy that baby helped my study late at night. If you can find one you would be set.
Some things that I am extra-stocking up on are those large containers of protein powder mixes. They sell those at vitamin stores. My son takes about two shakes a day since he loses weight very easily. Each shake is about 1000 calories. Tons of vitamins too. Of course I stocked up on more water for those. I am also stocking up on natural immune boosters like goldenseal, ecchinachea (sp?)tea and oil of oregano.
Extreme backpacker/survivalists will carry common “super glue” on extended trips. Serious flesh wounds are often ‘glued’ shut until the situation allows proper treatment. Consider the original glue was designed ( and still used) for this exact purpose.
Tarps: collect rain water, seal off broken windows/areas. Use underneath bedding for “worst case” situations. Shelter. They won’t go unused, I promise.
Got extra “Advantage” flea stuff for the critters. And my one big indulgence is the hand crank coffee grinder for the coffee beans I’ve stored in the freezer. I use a Melitta pot instead of a machine, just heat the water and pour.
Books, if your well to keep that mind active! Do you find you are running out of space for everything?
Definitely double-check important papers…I just updated my driver’s license early so that I could order extra birth certificates for my dd’s and myself back in CO.
Two other things I thought of this morning:
Feminine Supplies, you can getones that are homemade or make them yourself. Lots of thread, and needles, extra material.
DennisC, have you ever used a hobo stove? We used to make them out of number 10 cans when we were kids. They work sort of like Kelly stoves (we call Kellys toves Thermets in NZ).
Dont forget bulbs for the flashlights.
Many Cats at 22:47
I disappeared? One of my posts was eaten? I’ve forgotten already…:) sorry!
Don’t forget:
Vicks vapour for vapourizers
ricewiki at 01:48 q-tips (Im a q-tip addict, would go crazy without)
LOL, rw, so is dh…I have two boxes (500 ea) stashed back so far and planning on getting more… ;o)
About coffee filters: I use one of those metal gold impregnated permanent filters and never worry about running out of filters anymore. It works great. It can be thrown into the dishwasher to clean. I love it.
for anyone out there with asthma or asthmatic kids, stock up on your asthma meds and be sure to have a working nebulizer at home. No more running to the ED when the wheezing starts!
clark at 01:15
Yes, I was a boy scout (with palms) back in the “old days” and we did all those “can things”- lanterns, stoves, pans,…. One of the fun things was they would take us out in the forest with a knife and a tin cup and then come back a get us in 3 days or so…. I don’t think they do that much any more. We had this “tuff” old scoutmaster that was one of the Bataan death march survivors and drilled us in survival. It became fun after a while. We even camped out through a hurricane once (that is a long story). What we found out was that our destiny/survival was not based on what we had or the weather, or the stars- it was what was within us.
I am a coffee nut, and am spoiled, so I will only drink the good stuff. I grind the beans fresh for each cup. To brew, I have a filter holder that sits on top of a mug. I put a #2 cone filter in, unbleached, and the freshly ground coffee. Then just pour the hot water over the coffee.
I can buy a large quantity of filters at a time in my local grocery, and this method means all I need is a teakettle or saucepan to boil water in to make a fresh cup of deliciousness!
Every time I thought of something worthwhile to add - someone already did. MAinVA - that’s a great bit of information regarding cayenne pepper and bleeding.
I don’t think anyone mentioned plumbing repair: washers, bernzomtic torch (and flux, solder, steel brush, propane), valves, length of copper pipe, couplings, elbows, “O” rings - you get the point. I don’t want to list the contents of your local hardware store - it may be a good idea to visit one to see what you’re missing.
mantles for coleman lantern
pump repair kits for 30 year old coleman lantern and stove.
Here are a few items that I put on my “can’t believe I forgot that” list:
Certainly there are other things that spring to mind now and then.
I hope I won’t be sued for fishing. 8^)
safety pins, sewing needles, sunscreen, extra pens and pencils, pencil sharpener, spare tire tubes for bikes
MAinVA at 22:23
Honey also works well in preventing infection in open wounds. It contains healing enzymes and bacteria won’t grow in it.
Ceredwin at 00:20
If you have a roaster in your area check with them on buying green coffee beans, they will store for several years and can be hand roasted using a variety of methods.
Love Texas and others interested—Walmart carries the old style percolator coffee pot that you sit over the burner. Its in the camping supplies department and costs (here) around $27. It is made of stainless steel.
They’ve also got the old camp fire style blue enameled ones, on the shelf next to the percolator kind. Don’t remember the price.
Y’all keep on remembering stuff, I’m noting ‘em down!
sth 17;29-have you tried canned pumpkin for your cats’ hairballs? I know its weird but I had a long haired white cat and I gave her a big spoon of pumpkin everyday-it worked! The brewers yeast for fleas however, did not work. But then neither did the Advantage, frountline. etc. That was a very strange beast….
Frountline does work for my other pets and my vet sold me a years supply for each of them.
Some other great OTCs and suppliments to stock up on are Zinc- dosn’t cure but does lesson the severity of colds and flu, its worked for us in the past, don’t know how it will do with bird flu. Also Omega-3 this is great stuff- It has really helped my son and I with our lowered immune systems. It is also really good in reducing inflamation. I also take Co Q-10 its marketed mainly for heart health but its also good for immune systems and it helps with stress. An oncologist at Vanderbilt Hospital told me that ibuprophen was very safe-much safer than acetaminiphen-my fifteen yar old was taking 8 200mg tabs a day for several months without any problems. (He’s down to four tabs a day!) You can also take it concurantly with Acteaminiphen- in case you needed to get a fever down fast, or if one or the other wasn’t quite working. Ibuprophen does hurt some peoples stomachs but Ive found that of you have an upset stomach and need the ibuprophen to stay down, the childrens liquid will work.
My husband says pathogens can’t live in beer so he plans to soak his flu masks in a little Sam Adams over night……(just kidding!)
This is my first real post here,i guess i’ll jump right in. Burning lamp oil gives me severe headaches for some reason, so i tried citronella oil instead . doesnt give me a headache plus it works on the mosquitoes..
lola at 15:09 Clear lamp oil is odorless and shouldn’t cause any problems. I would not burn citronella oil indoors.
Green Mom at 14:28
I bought some acetaminiphen suppositories in case someone is unconscious. If after this pandemic we are still alive and the acetaminiphen is unused, I don’t know if it ever will be. It would seem strange using them up on a headache.
lola-15.09 You may want to invest in 7 day candles. They are usually about a buck a piece and will literally burn nonstop for seven days. Most of the time they are used in churches. I like them because if a cat, dog or clumsey me knocks them over, they go out. most groceries sell them.
Oremus at 15:24 Oh yes- suppositories would be a good idea Ive used them for infants. I think if we got through the flu without the suppositories, I would just gleefully throw them out, maybe do a little dance around the trash can.
thx for the suggestions but there is something, maybe fumes that give me the headache,even from the odorless kind ,so i experimented with the citronella oil, works for me… i’m very sensitive to smells most perfume does me the same way.Hillbilly Bill,whats in the citronella oil that its not good to be burned inside?
*Hillbilly Bill,whats in the citronella oil that its not good to be burned inside? *
I was wondering too!
Replacement SUMP PUMP for basement! I won’t have parts to fix it and I will be in a heck of a fix if mine quits.
Distilled water. You will need it for wet batteries
If you have pets, consider getting a couple of flea bombs to have on hand — nothing quite like a flea outbreak with nothing to address the problem. With all this food storage, I am also wondering if I should have a roach bomb on hand as well. I don’t like to use these nasty chemicals, but there are times when problems need to be addressed. — oh, I do keep some Nix shampoo for head lice around ALWAYS. We spent one February storm with those nasties on the kids and no way to get out to a pharmacy. Gee, I’ve earned every gray hair I’ve got!
I didn’t see furnace filters mentioned. Might be tough to find them now.
Tooth picks
Dental floss
Eye rinse incase something gets in your eyes
burn cream
vaseline
q tips
kleenex
light bulbs replacements for the battery operative light you have on hand
portable battery operated tv
tooth ache medicine
kankar sore medicine for mouth
baking soda
benadryl
birth control, whatever your preference, lots of it.
Repair kit for eyeglasses.
copier paper & toner
A/C filters
re-freezable ice packs, for refrigerating medications such as insulin, etc., hopefully in case of rolling blackouts, not total power loss. If there is total power loss, I understand small items can be kept fairly cool by wrapping them in cool wet cloths in a dark place.
Cranberry extract capsules and Azo-standard. This would be a lousy time to get a bladder infection.
Hmmm, add monistat to that list. Also a lousy time for a yeast infection.
Extra pair of glasses if you wera them - if one breaks then what do you do?
All those who are prepping for pets, you might ask your vet about a product called “Revolution”. It’s applied once a month between the dog’s shoulder blades just like Frontline, etc, but by using it you’ll kill several birds with one stone (so to speak). In dogs it protects against fleas, heartworms, ear mites, ticks, and sarcoptic mange, and in cats it also protects against roundworm and hookworm.
A good idea might be to find a straight razor. These packs of triple edge blades are getting expensive and they don’t last nearly long enough. A barber used to be able use one straight blade for his entire career. Of course, don’t forget the little bandaids! I may need a long SIP just to learn how to use one! :-)
Everyone please consider buying a new fire extinguisher(s) and battery operated smoke alarm. If we have to all start cooking over fires or other unfamiliar means, accidents are bound to happen. And since there won’t be any firemen to come and put the fire out for you….
Hubby just reminded me to get an extra chain for the chainsaw … its not just a matter of sharp, heavy use also makes them stretched out.
And just realized my kids have used half of my stock of spray Lysol disinfectant because they like the way it makes their beds smell. <sigh> Looks like I’ll be label reading to see if the generic does as good as Lysol.
Geeze, glad I thought to do an inventory. That stuff saved my life as a kid. Also want to get more of the liquid Lysol concentrate.
Don’t forget the matches, and more matches, along with disposable lighters like Bic etc, and those handy dandy propane barbeque lighter things.
You can save a tuna can, small cat food can etc, fill it with about 1/2 inch of 70% isopropyl alcohol, and light it for a quick fire to heat water for tea or soup etc. Burns for 5 to 10 mins. Great for small amounts of hot water quickly for a quick cup of hot chocolate or tea etc.
Thanks for all the suggestions! I now have two more college-ruled pieces of notebook paper of things to add to my “get” list. <rolling eyes>
And here I thought I was a good prepper.
Another thought for those of you with kids that are currently in braces … make sure that you get extra toothbrushes, flouride mouth wash, rubber bands, etc that they would need. No matter what you can’t stop living now, just because there might be a pandemic in the near future. My son was in desparate need of braces so we went ahead and got them started. I guess we’ll see how things go.
Kathy in FL at 11:56 - teeth
I have gotten me one of those UV tooth brush holders. It is suppose to kill germs, viruses,…
I hate to admit it but I also have just got some extra denture cleaner.
Alternative flea control - Biohalt or Interrupt. These are beneficial nematodes you apply to your lawn. Apply and water. They LOVE flea larvae.
Also, you might want to plant marigolds around the yard. Fleas HATE marigold!
Diatomaceous Earth is the hard shells of sea creatures. These shells have sharp edges and tend to tear an insect up from the inside out. Diatomaceous Earth is not harmful to humans or other large animals because they can not do enough damage in our mostly liquid bodies to harm us.
When Diatomaceous Earth is sprinkled on the ground, on an ant mound, or mixed with grains, legumes, etc., it slices and dices the insects that walk through it. If you’re planning to can or bucketize your own food, mixing in a cup of Diatomaceous Earth will help keep it pest-free. And it won’t hurt you when you ingest it, ‘cause the ‘sharp pieces’ are too small to cut you. (In fact, many farmers deliberately mix Diatomaceous Earth with animal feed to kill internal parasites in farm animals. The Diatomaceous Earth in the animal feces even kills the fly maggots that invariably appear in the patties.)
Diatomaceous Earth comes in at least two grades: Horticultural Grade and Food Grade. It’s important to use only Food Grade Diatomaceous Earth if you’re using it to store grains. If you want to use it on plants, don’t get any on the flowers. It’ll slice up the few honeybees we have left. And I don’t recommend incorporating mass quantities into the soil. Earthworms are good things: You don’t want to hurt them until you put ‘em on your fishhook. Diatomaceous Earth is also effective against fleas, but again, take care not to let your pet breathe it.
I sprinkle it in my house as a pesticide-free flea control.
“puppy pads” -these come in big packages for house-training normally, but they are great to use on the bed if you’re worried about sick/sweating/”leaks” etc. from someone. Much cheaper than getting mattress pads and they are completely disposable/replaceable.
For those of you that drink tea, may I suggest getting some peppermint plants and plant them in an area that they can spread. You can make tea from those, either dried leaves or picked right off the plant. Be careful though and plant either in pots or an area that you dont mind that it spreads. I live out near Death Valley, and did plant some in my front flower bed and now have to thin out every year. By the way it does make for a good drink.
Snowhound1 suggested that we should have fire extinguishers and smoke detectors and installed. As more people come into your home, the chances of an accidental fire increases and some basic fire prevention rules should be in place such as: (1) Smoking is allowed only outside in a designated area (not near wood piles, or grass/brush or other combustibles. (2) If anyone is cooking ANYTHING in the kitchen, someone needs to be in the kitchen at all time. Consider this area as a high fire hazard area, and be careful if using any grease or oil based products. (3) Install a smoke detector in each room if possible throughout the home. (4) Have at least one garden hose hooked up and ready to use with a nozzle, so that any area of the home can be gotten too (but make sure you use proper thinking, everyone out of the house, call the fire dept, meeting place outside (in fact have a practice fire escape every now and then, from every room of the building.
Before retiring to the desert, I was a Capt Deputy Fire Marshal and one of my duties was teaching preparations to the public. If the bird flu does happen, the response of your local emergency responders may be severly curtailed or nonexistent and one should do everything in their power to prevent fires from happening to begin with. Far too many accidental fires happen now due to just failure of paying attention etc.
PatinWA 11:44 - You reminded me of an old boy scout trick. Take a strip of cardboard the width of which is the same height of a tuna fish can. Roll the cardboard up till it makes a something that and put it into the empty tuna fish can. Fill the can with melted wax being sure to leave at least 1/2 inch of the cardboard sticking out of the wax. We used to light this and use this to cook when it was too wet to find firewood. This may make a cheap type of long lasting sterno.
oops! PatinWA 11:44 - You reminded me of an old boy scout trick. Take a strip of cardboard the width of which is the same height of a tuna fish can. Roll the cardboard up till it makes a something that looks like a hockey puck and put it into the empty tuna fish can. Fill the can with melted wax being sure to leave at least 1/2 inch of the cardboard sticking out of the wax. We used to light this and use this to cook when it was too wet to find firewood. This may make a cheap type of long lasting sterno.
Bottled HEET poured into an empty STERNO can loosely packed with cotton balls will make a much cleaner fire and the price is comparable to buying and melting wax.
I use lint from the dryer and melted vasoline with wax.
Don’t forget to prep for all those nasties that get passed around when people share close quarters. I have flea shampoo for lice and lots of anti fungal for athlete’s foot and ringworm.
Friends, (and you are all friends - each of you who have contributed and continue to contribute so much to this forum) I am very poor - poverty line looks good to me. Work 2 jobs. (just got a raise in both!!) I have been ‘prepping’ for nearly a year now. One or two extra bags of beans and rice, a canned ham here and there, (did I mention toilet paper??? And thanks for the Diva Cup info! FANtastic!) with the tax return a gravity water purifier and a VERY large Walton’s feed order. The wisdom and guidance I’ve found here is breathtaking. As I’ve watched other disasters unfold, my anger and sense of helplessness in the face of such unconscionable neglect and incompetence by those whose responsibility it is to use our tax dollars wisely has at times overcome all reason. We have been sorely misused. But here I find what we’re really made of, and I thank you from the bottom of my heart. My last minute prep will be a winemaking kit. A vintage in your honor.
anonymous at 20:31 - I disagree with your stated personal description that you are poor. You may be one of the richest persons that I have had the pleasure of reading on the FW. You honor us with your wonderful contribution above.
Do us all a favor please? Give yourself a little better name so that we know who we’re talking to in the future. I’ll bet that there are a lot us who’ll like to know how you’re doing.
I am sorry….different computer.That’s me up there!
I guess we are verry poor too, if you only think of the amount of money coming in. But we may be one of the richest and blest peoples, if we are even alittle prepared. Some people have alot and put aside nothing. If a problem comes, and the income stops for a time, where will they be if there has not been any prep for the unexpected. So lighten up on yourself, you are one of the blest ones, who use the little they have to prepare for tomorrow. We do not have alot yet, but it is coming—it is a tube of toothpaste here or a bag of beans there. No matter, what matters is that in the end we will be surprised at what we have acomplished on so little.
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Just a comment—not sure where else to post it. I was in Wal-Mart today to buy the **non-digital** thermometer that I mentioned needing for preps at the beginning of this thread. Guess what—at least in my town Wally’s no longer sells **any** type of thermometer other than digital. The clerk advised me to check “family owned” drug-stores (and she whispered as she said the words “family owned” LOL). After two dud digital thermometers, I guess I’ll keep shopping around until I can find an “old fashioned” one. Again, all I can say is it sure pays to prep ahead of time and to put some thought into the things you might need. Galt
have you heard about a Zeer Pot? It’s two terra cotta pots with a layer of sand in between them. You wet the sand and the evaporation keeps the contents of the smaller pot chilled for longer preservation. They use them in Africa, but I haven’t seen them available to buy here. I’m thinking large azalea pots would work.
generic vapor rup
honet/wasp spray/bug spray/ant bait
fever blister medicine
tinactin type stuff
dental work done/eyes checked/physicals completed
Fabreeze for those odors of the unwashed.
Eyedropper for adding chlorine to water. Monastat if you need to take antibiotics
To backup your computer system, assuming you will have available Internet service or backup power to access it, purchase an additional router, whether wireless or hardwired.
Yes…. back up all files because you won’t be able to get your computer serviced during SIP.
How about extra wicks for those oil lamps. Also charcoal…very efficiant heat source for cooking and boiling.
Here in UK I am able to buy corned beef (comes from South America) with a June 2010 ‘best before’ date - a good thing to stock up on.
Thanks, Green Mom, for the tip on using pumpkin for the cats’ furballs—I’d forgotten about that one. It’s worth a try and I’ll always use it, even if they don’t like it.
Yeah, the books and various experts always recommend brewer’s yeast for fleas, but no one that I’ve known ever had any luck with it!
Many stores do not sell old-fashioned (mercury) thermometers any longer. They do not want any liability from the ‘poisonous mercury’. However, I bought a dozen of them on ebay for $45. Ebay may have a problem with it too - I believe you are not allowed to sell anything ‘hazardous’. One bid I won was canceled by ebay because the item mentioned mercury. I finally bought the dozen from someone else that did not mention that ingredient. The PC police can be real wing-nuts.
(digs through pile of paper behind keyboard - why is this here?)
Geratherm makes a mercury-free thermometer.
(I’m switching out the battery-operated ones; the batteries contain mercury. Silly idea, that.)
ssol and crfullmoon, Thanks for the tips. I finally got one of the mercury-free, non-digital thermometers. Took trips to 3 stores around here. It was the Geratherm one that crfullmoon mentions. Cost about $8. Galt
You can also get disposable (one-time use) thermometers, which might be a good idea during pandemic. The two brand names that I know of are Nextemp and 3M Tempadots. Come 100 per box for about $10 a box.
Comment on using charcoal—it produces a lot of carbon monoxide, so remember don’t plan on using it indoors. I suppose that goes without saying, but hey, lets not survive a pandemic only to be done in by bad ventilation!
I’ve used the ‘disposable’ thermometers. They are actually more than 1 time use- for myself, I’ve used one all day. You wouldn’t want to switch between patients, or let a pathogen build up on it. They go in my backpacking firstaid kit.
If services like trash removal are interupted, you will have a lot of pests (flys, ants, rodents, etc.). Don’t forget stuff to keep them at bay.
Bump
Geratherm thermometers are the best! Digital thermometers use batteries and they wear down. Chemical strip disposable thermometers can be affected by heat, cold and humidity. The non-mercury Geratherm glass thermometers are low tech, works every time. You can buy them in most drug stores.
I wish I had a lot of wisdom and knowledge to share, but I’m new here, so right now I’m just coming to pick all your brains apart. LOL
I do see a lot of people talking about thermometers though and wanted to point out, if you find yourself in a situation where you don’t have one available, put your lips to the forehead of whomever you feel might be running a fever. You’ll won’t be able to say conclusively that the temp is 101.5, but you will be able to notice a fever and as you get more practice with it, you’ll be able to tell the difference between a low grade and a really high fever as well.
I have a 14 and a 15 year old and I really never used a thermometer unless I was taking the kids to the doc and they wanted to know the exact temp. I can get it to within a degree either way.
Rayne I am not knocking how you take a temp. But that may not be a wise or healthly way to take a temp of a bird flu patient. It may give you bird flu.
How about those little eyeglasses repair kits. Theyre a dollar and a lifesaver when you need one.
maybe this belongs in the “setting up a sick room” section…but, if you are setting up a quarantine room, you may want to make sure that there is a clock with a second hand in the room that runs on battery. If you are taking pulse or writing down vital signs in a log, you may not be able to access your watch that is under 2 layers of gloves and taped to your long sleeve shirt. The clock will help you keep track of pulse rates and when you gave medicines. You don’t want a plug-in clock in case power goes out.
Rock at 22:54 good idea!
I bought a small AccuCell solar clock at a local Green Store a few months ago and it has kept perfect time despite a week or more of grey sun-less days. It does have a second hand. http://tinyurl.com/meyhx
I also bought a 22 Watt Solar Energy System with Xantrex XPower 300 from these folks—I spent my ‘summer vacation’ savings on it (oh well, may be SIP by then, hopefully not!) but I don’t regret it a bit. It works well and took only minutes to set up out of the box. http://tinyurl.com/fbmtn
I bought food “seeds” today. After I did this, I decided I should have bought some root starter stuff too. tomorrow I am going to buy that.
A person could make a solar power ‘energy system’ for less money, that is more powerful, using a trolling battery, etc. but without the physical strength and the mechanically mental where-with-all, I settled for the Xantrex. It’s pretty cool tho.
For disinfecting large areas, get yourself a never-used garden spayer…the kind that you pump the pressure up and then can spray for a long time. This beats using a spray bottle. I got the idea because I had a mold problem on my deck and it took forever to spray the mold product by hand. I got one of those garden sprayers, put the disinfectant in it, and viola, my hands didn’t cramp. I plan on using this to disinfect packages, or whatever else I might need to when the time comes. P.S. I also saw in a newsclip where HCW were using this same setup to disinfect their hands and boots after treating Ebola victims. It looked like they set up a area where HCW could grab the sprayer and disinfect themselves after being contaminated.
Rock at 23:28
Someone earlier <days or weeks ago> recommended using one of those sprayers with the three nozzles (like a RoundUp sprayer) for washing hair or showering if the water system in the house is off (no electricity, etc.). I priced them at Home Depot yesterday and they’re over $25′s so I decided to look around some more. Looks like we should have two---one for disinfecting & one for washing.
egg timer
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A couple of food preps that folks might forget are:
Rounds of salt are cheap … average about 33 cents (US) per round … but are often forgotten. If you plant on making homemade rehydration liquids then you’ll need salt for that, for possibly preserving foods, and it is also useful for homemade cleaning solutions and homemade tooth cleaners.
Keep one or two good hand can openers where they can be found. Nothing like have a bazillion cans and no power to your electric can opener.
A couple of sharp paring knives. They are uber useful.
Kitchen/utility shears which are good to cut just about anything.
a kitchen scale. If you have a sick infant the only way to see how much fluid is coming out is to weigh a diaper. this may be helpful to gauge hydration levels. also we have a spanish version of the book “where there is no doctor” a great medical guide could we pass it on to someone in the portland OR area?
Also I must say our best resource may lie in simply networking with our neighbors, friends and families-phase 4 here we come
Mountain bike. I imagine that fuel would disappear early on. Having a mountain bike- and even a little trailer to pull might be a good idea for some of us. I just bought a bike- haven’t ridden one for years!
Dennis C- You are completely correct about the preps. I am getting bits and pieces- but it is what I have managed to store inside me that will tell one way or the other. The emototional journey that this fluwikie has set me on has really turned me inside out!.
To go with the bike, perhaps you could get a basket that fits onto the front or back. Or a child’s seat … which is what I wish we had.
And don’t forget that helmet and knee pads … with emergency health care possibly becoming problematic during a pandemic a concussion or stitches are not something that you are gonna want to have to deal with.
dental floss or those little pre-flossed picks.
In order to reach family and friends if the normal lines of communication are not functioning, it may be possible to find someone close by that is a ham radio operator. Have your far-off loved one(s) locate an operator near them and swap call signs. The LDS churches have a system set up in every area with operators so maybe give someone a call and ask for the “Mormon Ham Operator nearest you!”
This may have been mentioned, but I havent seen much reference to regular day-to-day clothing. Our textile and clothing manufacturing industry is now pretty much all overseas.
I would suggest that stocking up on socks, underwear, jeans, T-Shirts/sweatshirts or whatever is appropriate for your region would be a good idea. We bought extra pairs of work boots and rubber muck boots (necessities for farm work) and are hitting the thrift stores for the pricier items like coats and jackets.
Getting some things in a waist size or two smaller might be a good idea for some - rationing food can really make a difference to your waistline.
And don’t forget to set up a substantial sewing kit to do alterations and repairs, replace buttons.
Extra can openers! Power failed for a bit the other day and could not find one! Put 3 manual can openers in the bug out bag and 2 more in the prep kits!
5 can openers sounds redundant - but I can’t gnaw the cans open, now can I?
Also for sick patients - medicine droppers for administering meds and sippy sups (if you don’t have kids you can find them in the baby section of any grocery store, Wallyworld, etc. - Gerbers is the best) for drinking beverages without spilling. You can literally lay in bed with one without making a mess.
Bluebonnet at 08:02
And the can openers today are not of the same quality and strength as when people had to rely on them full time … before the advent of the electric opener.
I remember my grandmother used to have a crank can opener affixed to one of her kitchen counters. That thing was a wonder. It did all size cans and even a little kid could crank the handle and open a tough metal can.
Wish I could find one of those. My hand can openers just do not want to stay sharp after a couple months use. I’m constantly replacing them.
A last minute trip to the trash dump might be in order. We rural people do this out of habit (we don’t have trash pickup), but urban and suburbanites might want to know where their trash is taken to and plan on one last shot at getting rid of their garbage to make being stuck at home for what could be several weeks more sanitary.
Regarding can openers…yesterday I saw some new can openers. The blade doesn’t touch the food and it’s more sanitary. I’m going to pick up a few of these. A friend saw a presentation on a shopping channel with a similar can opener, and the presenter said that regular can openers always have bacteria on the blades, because they touch the food. Having had food poisoning twice (the REALLY bad kind) I think it might be worth the extra money. I saw these at Ross Department stores, at a pretty good price.
What about suppository fever reducers? I have not been able to find them at WallyWorld or similar locations — may have to buy online. Does anyone know?
WalMart has a great manual can opener that unfolds the crimp on the lid of the can rather than cutting the lid open. Not only does it not infect the food with bacteria from dirty blades, it leaves the top of the can ready to sit right back on the can to (loosly) reseal the can. AND there are no sharp edges to slice fingers! It’s easier to use than regular can openers as it is just unfolding the crimp, not trying to cut through the metal lid.
Now if only they would come out with a low cost REcrimper to reseal the can!
Paralegal, I found kids tylenol suppositories at CVS. No luck on the adult one.
Thanks, NJ Jeeper. I wonder if several of the kids suppositories could work for adults….
I think one prep that we may ignore is our emotional preparation. I am more afraid of having to watch the death and dying around me than dying myself. We, as a nation, have such a low mortality rate that we are not accustum to seeing this type of disaster. I have researched my genealogy and in the past it was not unusual for a parent to lose 4–8 children. Not that they grieved less, just that it was more common. I have lost one child, a 24 year old ironworker, and I can’t even imagine watching those around me losing theirs. If you have any old photos of relatives, look deep into the mother’s eyes. You can see more grief than we can imagine.
Kathy in FL - IN RE that can opener, try searching restaurant supply places. I remember using a great one like you described in my brief stint at a pizza shop.
try your opener on your swiss army knife. Not that you will use it a lot, but so you know how.
Regarding acetaminophen suppositories: they are in the pharmacy refrigerator usually- just ask the pharmacist for the strengths you need and special order if necessary.
Regarding acetaminophen suppositories: they are in the pharmacy refrigerator usually- just ask the pharmacist for the strengths you need and special order if necessary.
Also get promethazine (Phenergan) suppositories too. They are for nausea & vomitting, but are prescription only. Ask your doctor to write you an Rx for a dozen or so, or try to buy them online. None of this of course would help with a severe case of what we fear, and maybe it’s a waste of time and money, but with rehydration I think it’s the only thing that would help at home.
Regarding can openers—I just ordered a Edlund manual can opener from this site. http://tinyurl.com/gdxh8
It is the commercial one that clamps on the counter and has the large handle that spins around the top of the can. You are supposed to screw it onto you counter top, but I screwed it to a board, put non skid material on the bottom, and it works like a charm. These normally cost $300 or more, but this one is only $64 plus S&H and tax. About $73.
This company is fast, efficient, friendly and is remarkable in customer service.
The acetaminophen suppositories also can be ordered at www.americarx.com (and probably lots of other places on line—this is just who I used). The brand name that they carry is acephen. About $4 for 12 @ 500mg strength. I think you could use a bunch of the kiddie ones if you had to, but sure would be less aversive to have to do once instead of four or five administrations to get the same dosage.
a bag of lime might come in handy for your friends downstream if you have to fall back on slit-trench sanitation.
inthehills at 14:48
You should have your sanitation devices at least 100 feet from any streams.
dennisC, i agree fully,but any extra help with sanitation seems only prudent.
O- - I totally agree with the Phenergan suppositories! I never feel completely “safe” without some in the fridge-and when they expire (sometimes unused, but I consider that to mean I’ve been well) I get a new Rx.
I wouldn’t want to be without my Gerber multi-tool. I literally re-assembled one office I worked in with this thing, unassisted, and use it for numerous repairs around the house. I’m not affiliated with the company, just a happy customer.
White towels; white wash cloths, white sheets. white bed pads and white pillow cases.
All of these items can be bleached clean and free of virus. Imagine their uses too - everything from tending to the sick, to cleaning to personal hygiene - you name it. And it is not a waste of money in that you can always use these items.
Get extra bleach to go along with the white items.
Bump
Pedia Lyte or the generic grocery store equivalent — a few bottles on hand would save a sick person from having to make up oral rehydration solution while ill and dehydration is your worst enemy with H5N1
Also drinking straws for easily consuming your Pedia Lyte as well as soups and other drinks.
bump
Can’t take credit for this one - got it from Kirby on another site, but don’t forget to get popcorn kernels and ziplock bags. If you put the kernels in the bag in the freezer, it makes an ice pack to bring down fever or in the event of an injury. The kernels don’t actually freeze so the icepack is flexible and plyable and more comfortable that standard ones.
Thought this was a terrific idea and would be good on this thread as well.
Power failure on my block last month in Minneapolis reminded me that I needed to add a small shelf on the stairs to hold one of those 7 day candles. Up out of the cat’s reach, and a nice nightlight for the kids.
I’ve got a corner that was a good place, and I added a couple of small mirrors to reflect the light. If I did it again, I’d put the mirrors at a slight angle to make the light shine down on the stairs better.
If you buy some of those small outdoor garden solar lights, you can use them at night at least for night lights. They are not really a good light source for reading, but they would be great just to give a small amount of light hare and there in a dark house at night. Let them charge up in the daytime, then at night use them around the house. Some look very nice like small quaint lanterns.
JV: I bought 3 of the solar lights last week. You are right that the light is not very bright, but at least you won’t run out of batteries! The sun is always there.
I liked a previous posters idea to put a mirror by the light to help with the added reflection. The solar lights would work great as a bathroom or kitchen nightlight.
About can openers: we found a stainless steel one that is like a cadillac of manual can openers and can be put in the dishwasher. It doesn’t rust and seems to stay sharp much longer than the cheaper ones. All we use are manual can openers, mainly because we like to be able to throw them into the dish washer. We are a bit lazy, and that is the easiest way to get them clean.
There is also a handy item called P38. It is a can opener that you can put on a keychain that the soldiers used to use. I carry one for use in a pinch.
Oh, and diapers are very good multi-purpose cloths.
Bluerose, well said!
Everyone, another very common product that makes an absolutely wonderful ice pack is Dawn dishwashing detergent (any brand will work). Squeeze a bottle of liquid detergent into a ziplock bag, zip it shut and drop the ZIPPED in down into another ziplock so that it closes on the opposite side than the first one, just for extra protection. Lay the bag flat & freeze! It takes up very little room, you can set stuff on top of it if you need to, and it stays VERY cold and yet pliable for a VERY long time. You can wrap it easily around fingers, drape it over knees, around ankles, shoulders, etc. Use a couple of different sizes — large & small for extra convenience.
Just remembered to get some large jars of honey. Can do double duty as sweetner and on possible wounds that could happen when rushing around or trying to do things in the dark. http://tinyurl.com/ncs3k
One problem with honey as a wound protectorant. My dogs loved it when I had a slice on the knee (from one of my cats!) and tried the honey routine. Dogs followed me around ALL day trying to lick the honey off, long after it was gone. They finally think I’m SWEET! Don’t forget to add some gause tape to cover the wound to protect from your “four legged co-SIPers. And if your dogs are large like mine, consider duct tape over the gause.
Chore charts. OK, sounds weird … but even if it is only your family that SIPs with you, you still need some kind of schedule of chores so that mom … or dad … doesn’t go completely ballistic at some point trying to do everyone themselves.
I can tell you as a homeschooler that with people in your home 24/7 that there will be more work than what you expect. The house never gets “finished” because not everyone ever leaves. Bathrooms and kitchens will need more cleaning. There will be more dishes. Floor cleaning will seem never ending.
However, if everyone takes part in trying to maintain a level of cleanliness and sanitation then everyone will benefit. No one will get run down doing everything. It will give the kids something to do besides sit and mope about not being able to go see their friends (if that might be an issue in your home). And eventually everyone should feel invested in making your SIP successful.
It seems that the honey they discussed was filtered for medical uses. I would only use this as a last resort for fear of my family putting me in a straight jacket.
Did anyone use this on an open would, unfiltered from the store shelves?
NJ Jeeper, yes. Honey has antibacterial properties and I’ve used it on wounds on myself and others in my family, both raw and pasteurized.
The only time I would say it is inappropriate to use on someone would be if they had allergies to bees, other than that it’s perfectly safe and effective.
Regarding acetaminophen suppositories: I bought mine at Krogers pharmacy. They were in locked case so ask the pharmacist to help. They weren’t refrigerated and the package says to store at room temp. Acephen brand.
Kathy in FL at 10:14
Anything to keep busy is good. I don’t want people eating the preps out of boredom.
Oremus, I bought some on line from a pharmacy listed somewere else. It is Queens NY. Glad to see it is the same brand you got at Kroger pharmacy. Some comfort there.
If you have a cat that normally uses a litter box, make sure you have a healthy supply of litter.
Cetaphil Cleanser: for spot bathing in the event of water shortages - you don’t need water and its easy on the skin. The name brand is a bit pricey but the generic version at Wal-Mart is more reasonable.
(The anti-bacterial hand cleanser is great for hands…but its hard on your skin, and I can’t imagine using it on more sensitive areas.)
Get Nature’s Miracle skunk odor remover. Our dog got hit last night, rubbed himself on our carpet, and then came to wake us up.
We were lucky that a carpet guy was willing to come out on a holiday. He sprayed anti-bacterial stuff everywhere and we are able to close the doors and windows(30 degrees again tonight). The Nature’s Mic stuff goes in the wash, and is currently de-skunking the dog. We were ready to cut out the carpets ( the whole house) when I made the call. Peroxide and baking soda put barely a dent in the foul odor. Short of burning the house down, I was not sure what to do. My husband reaked! NM took the smell off of him in a flash. Wipe it on, wait until it dries, and wash off. If we had to SIP, I would have still burned down the house. It smelled like chemical warfare. Do not wait for this to happen to you. Get a couple of bottles and save your sanity. Petsmart had it for $12, but you can order for less online.
BTW, we had already cleaned the carpets with a rug Dr. when I considered setting fire. It was THAT bad!
NJ Jeeper at 10:51
I used honey on a wound the first time about 25 years ago. I had just read something about a university hospital doing some research on it, Denver I think. I had cut the back of my hand in that area between the thumb & index finger with a bow saw. The cuts ran parallel to the muscle, about 8 of them ranging from about 1/2″ to 1″ long and man did it bleed. I still have some small scars there but I had never had a cut heal that fast before. I kept it smeared with the stuff for several weeks, no scab, no infection. I have used it often over the years since then.
Kathy, here’s the old-fashioned Swingaway manual wall canopener. It sells for $12.99 at Amazon.com.
bgw in MT at 22:52
Thanks, this is definitely something that I will check out.
Dutch ovens for cooking/baking.
This thread is good but getting long. Closing this one and opening Preps You Might Forget II here.
